Times Square Church - Sermons
Episode: Subtle Jonahs
Speaker: Gary Wilkerson (Guest Speaker)
Date: October 5, 2025
Overview
In this episode titled "Subtle Jonahs," Gary Wilkerson explores the Biblical story of Jonah, drawing out how subtle, everyday compromises—rather than outright rebellion—can quietly rob believers of their destinies, joy, and fruitfulness. Through personal anecdotes, scripture exposition, and contemporary illustrations, Wilkerson encourages listeners to address the "little foxes" in their spiritual lives in order to pursue God’s high calling without compromise. The message crescendos in a call to renewed commitment, sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, and practical surrender.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The City is Starving: A Spiritual Appetite
- Opening Illustration: Drawing from a business anecdote about the best place to set up a hot dog stand (00:00), Wilkerson compares New York City’s hunger for spiritual truth to the best location for sharing the gospel.
- “God has positioned Times Square Church in a city that's starving for good news… there's a famine in the land for the word of God.” (02:16)
- He celebrates the church’s historical commitment to “the unadulterated, uncompromised gospel of Jesus Christ.”
2. The Difference Between Knowing the Psalms and Knowing the Savior
- Shares a story contrasting a Broadway actor’s eloquent recitation of Psalm 23 with the sincere heart of an elderly pastor, poignantly illustrating the value of authenticity and spiritual depth.
- “I know the Psalms. He knows the Savior.” (06:04)
3. Mission Update: Pure Religion and World Challenge
- Brief update on World Challenge, focusing on child rescue and orphan care as his “non-negotiable” calling (12:55).
- Shares a moving story of two children rescued from the red light district in Mumbai, reinforcing the call to live out James 1:27—caring for orphans and widows.
- “That’s why I say pure religion undefiled is to care for the orphan and widow. Amen.” (14:55)
4. Main Message: What is a Subtle Jonah?
- Explains the story of Jonah (17:37) and pivots to the notion that most believers are not openly rebellious like Jonah but instead fall prey to “subtle Jonah” tendencies:
- “Few of us are radical Jonahs… but many of us are more subtle. We are more coy, we are more nuanced, we are more sly. Our rebellion is calmer... by being partially obedient to a degree.” (19:40)
Examples of Subtle Jonahs:
- A husband avoiding adultery but indulging in pornography (21:35)
- A busy mother skipping nightly prayers with her children (21:54)
- Retired couple called to missions but distracted by leisure (22:05)
Wilkerson emphasizes that these “almost right” actions quietly erode spiritual vitality.
5. Matthew 21 and Saying 'Yes, But' to God
- References Jesus’ parable of two sons to illustrate partial, delayed, or insincere obedience (24:00).
- “Far too many of us have a simple, straightforward ‘do what God tells you to do,’ and we say yes. But we almost never say, ‘no way, Lord...’”
6. The Dangers & Results of Subtle Compromise
- Song of Solomon 2:15 and the Little Foxes:
- Little compromises (‘foxes’) spoil fruitfulness, especially when lives are "in blossom" or about to fulfill their greatest potential (26:34).
- "The enemy doesn't bother you when you're distracted... he distracts you when you're about to reach your highest blossoming place." (27:40)
- The risk isn’t catastrophe, but mediocrity: becoming dull, lukewarm, losing ‘first love,’ or missing out on destiny.
7. Subtle Jonah vs. Radical Jonah: Personal Reflection
- Wilkerson humbly applies the lesson to himself.
- “Hi, I'm Gary Wilkerson... And I, of all people, can't be a subtle Jonah. My subtlety corrupts me. I'm a subtle Jonah when God calls me to lay down my life for my wife and I get angry that she burnt the toast last night...” (30:00)
8. How to Break Free: Living Radically Uncompromised
- Regain Sensitivity to the Spirit:
- Contrasts spiritual sensitivity with “sensuality”—pursuing comfort or pleasure apart from God’s call (33:55).
- Personal story of his father (David Wilkerson) leaving a PG movie due to hearing the Lord’s name in vain, exemplifying spiritual sensitivity (35:10).
- Pursue Clean Conscience Over Seared Conscience:
- A clean, responsive heart is better equipped for full obedience.
9. The Power of Small Obediences
- Shares how William Booth (founder of The Salvation Army) simply refused to work on the Sabbath and, through that seemingly small step of obedience, changed countless lives (37:30).
- "All of these people, every single one of them could have missed out on their destiny simply by allowing a small compromise." (38:50)
10. Invitation to Surrender & Prayer
- Calls listeners to imagine writing down their compromises and leaving them symbolically at their seat, coming forward for prayer (41:35).
- Affirms that deliverance and power to change come from the King—Jesus himself, and not through mere willpower or self-perfection.
- “Most likely I'm going to eat ice cream at least once more in my life... but it's a lifestyle of saying no... you are not your compromise, you are a new creation in Christ.” (47:00)
- Celebrates growth in World Challenge’s impact, linking increased fruitfulness to greater focus and fewer distractions.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Spiritual Sincerity vs. Performance:
- “I know the Psalms. He knows the Savior.” (06:04, Broadway actor in story about Psalm 23)
- On Subtle Compromise:
- "Our rebellion is calmer. We attempt to make our lack of quick, sure, absolute obedience less noticeable..." (19:44)
- On the Danger of the Little Foxes:
- “It’s cute until you wake up the next morning and all the grapes are gone.” (26:55)
- On the Risk of Missing Destiny:
- “God has a design for your life, a glorious plan... It is these subtle things that take us away.” (28:37)
- On Sensitivity to the Spirit:
- "We lose sensitivity when we live in subtle compromises without being aware we're even compromising." (36:56)
- On Breaking Free from Compromise:
- “The queen is speaking to the king [in Song of Solomon]... King, I can't do this myself. Would you come?... We need an outside source stronger than ourselves.” (44:15)
- On God’s Empowering Touch:
- “I'll now give you the power to do what you cannot do in your own strength.” (44:45)
Important Timestamps
- 00:00 – Welcome, humor about Mars, gratitude for audience
- 02:16 – Hot dog stand and spiritual hunger analogy
- 06:04 – "He knows the Savior" story
- 12:55 – World Challenge and orphan care testimony
- 17:37 – Introduction to Jonah theme and subtle disobedience
- 21:35–22:05 – Real world examples of subtle Jonah behavior
- 24:00 – Jesus’ parable and partial obedience
- 26:34 – Little foxes illustration from Song of Solomon
- 35:10 – Story of father’s sensitivity at movie theater
- 37:30 – William Booth / Salvation Army
- 41:35 – Invitation for surrender & prayer
- 47:00 – Encouragement to live free, not perfect; story of ministry growth
Tone & Language
Wilkerson’s message is warm, humble, and filled with both urgency and hope. A mix of stories, humor (“The snooze button is the most exercised machine in my house”), transparency about his own struggles, and candid spiritual challenge make his delivery accessible and relatable. The style is pastoral and encouraging, yet uncompromising about biblical truth.
Summary Table: Action Steps
| If you... | Then... | |-------------------------------------|---------------------------------------| | Relate to subtle compromise | Surrender that area to God | | Sense lukewarmness or dullness | Pray for renewed sensitivity | | Are unclear on your calling | Ask God to clarify your singular “one thing” | | Desire to help orphans/widows | Connect with World Challenge | | Haven’t received Jesus | Accept the invitation and pray |
Final Encouragement
“God has a wonderful, amazing plan for your life… He’s grabbing you by both shoulders, shaking you a little bit, saying, ‘You don’t know what you’re missing.’” (38:59)
Wilkerson’s call is clear: let go of the “subtle Jonahs” and step boldly into your God-given destiny—no compromise, only grace-fueled courage.
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